County to apply for ‘zero-energy,’ low income housing grant

The Whitley County Fiscal Court is applying for $300,000 in grant funds from stimulus money to help pay for a pilot project that would replace blighted structures with three "zero-energy" use homes, which would be sold to low or moderate income individuals or families.

During its monthly meeting Tuesday, the fiscal court approved a resolution authorizing the filing of a Kentucky Community Development Block Recovery Grant application.

The project is a joint effort with Kentucky Highlands and has been in the works for a couple of months.

Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. told the fiscal court Tuesday that the idea is to get the Oak Ridge National Research Lab to design a home which will generate more energy than it uses on average, and puts electricity back into the electrical grid.

The new buildings have to be built in southern Whitley County, which is in the TVA electrical grid, White said.

This is because TVA pays a higher rate for energy than other electrical providers.

In other business, the fiscal court:

¥ Approved 2009 tax rates for taxing districts, which stayed the same as last year’s rates. "I’m proud that all the county organizations are able to work together to keep tax rates down," White noted.

¥ Awarded over $3,500 to various church, civic and school groups that participated recently in the Litter Lieutenants Program as well as certificates of appreciation.

White admits that he’s surprised at how well the program has gone.

"We’ve really had a tremendous response to our Litter Lieutenants program," White said. "It is going to help a lot of community organizations and is helping us clean-up our county. We are very proud."

¥ Announced that the first Whitley County Dumpster Days will kick off Thursday through Saturday at the Whitley County Garage, which is located on Prewitt Bend Drive. It will take place from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. each day.

"Essentially, we will be accepting anything that your garbage man will not take except for tires," said Whitley County Projects Director Tracy West.

The project is similar to the bulky items disposal program, but will take place three days each month at various locations in the county.

The next Dumpster Days program will be Oct. 8-10 at the Corbin Speedway off US25W.

Anyone with questions about the program can call 549-6000.

¥ Announced that county paving work is expected to begin this week, weather permitting, on the following roads: Tattersall Trails, Citation Trail, Bonanza, Man O’War and Keeneland Drive in the Tattersall area.

¥ Accepted the Whitley County Public Library’s annual report and appointed Maria Harrison and Marcella Mountjoy to the Whitley County Public Library Board.

¥ Adopted Old Manning Road, Cecilia Drive, Brock Drive, Scarlet Drive, Joyce Lane and Speed Drive into the county road system.

¥ Accepted the Whitley County Conservation District’s annual report and financial report.